How Big Was SAGE?

IBM built this model to help visualize the layout of a SAGE installation’s four floors: Telephone and Test Equipment, Computer Floor, Command Post and Display Floor.

How Big Was SAGE?

Everything about SAGE was vast. It cost over $10 billion (more than $70 billion 2000 dollars), using some of the largest vacuum tube computers ever built. Primary supplier IBM assigned 7,000 employees to SAGE at the project’s peak.

The size and complexity of SAGE’s software was unprecedented, requiring about a million instructions.

Located near Fort Dix and Naval Air Station Lakehurst, McGuire Air Force Base became the first operational SAGE Direction Center in 1958. After almost 10 years of service, the purpose-built building was converted to other Air Force uses.

Located near Fort Dix and Naval Air Station Lakehurst, McGuire Air Force Base became the first operational SAGE Direction Center in 1958. After almost 10 years of service, the purpose-built building was converted to other Air Force uses.